Chapter 3 Unexpected Encounters

Yael was speechless. Dorian asked, “Aren't you busy?” Yael nodded his head quickly, “Yes, very busy.” He glanced at the window that was already darkening and couldn't help but remind himself, “Boss, the workday ended a while ago, and I have an appointment with the agent to see a flat, can I go now?” Dorian glanced at the top right corner of the computer; it was after seven. He nodded slightly, “Yes.” “Thank you, boss.” After hurriedly saying thank you, Yael lightly picked up his things and ran out.  As the office door closed, Dorian finally looked up from the computer, his gaze lingering on the closed door for a moment and then moving to the darkness of the night outside.  It was the time when all the lights in the houses were on, the lights of the distant neighborhoods were already shining brightly.

Dorian remembered the light that was always on in his house when Amelia, who used to be laying on the couch, arrived. When Amelia's image crossed his mind, Dorian's expression softened. He took his eyes off the window and looked up at the computer screen, his long fingers falling on the keyboard, thinking about continuing to work. He had barely typed a letter when he stopped; The plans and reports that he had once found fascinating now seemed insipid to him. He pushed the keyboard away, stood up, ripped his suit jacket off the coat rack, bent down to grab his car keys from his desk, and left the office.  All his excitement slowly stabilized after he got into the car.  He let out a sigh and started the engine, slowly beginning to drive.  Outside the car window, the bustle of the city shone with life, but Dorian drove aimlessly, unwilling to return home.  As his car passed by Amelia's neighborhood, Yael's phrase “Looks like Amelia is going to sell her house” unexpectedly burst into his mind.  Dorian involuntarily glanced toward the entrance to the neighborhood.  Amelia was just leaving and when she looked up, her gaze collided with Dorian's inside the car, she stopped for a moment.

He saw her too and his gaze passed calmly over her face.   Amelia forced a smile at him.  Dorian looked away coldly.  She felt a little uncomfortable, laughed wryly, withdrew her gaze, and was about to leave.  Suddenly, Dorian called out to her, "Are you going out?"  His voice was still the same as always, calm and serene.  Amelia looked at him surprised and nodded. “Yes, I'm going to buy some things.”  Dorian nodded, without saying anything else.  That had been his normal for the last two years.  So she didn't say anything else either, she smiled apologetically and was about to leave.  But Dorian spoke again, “Have you eaten yet?”  She nodded, “Yes, I just ate.”  She got another nod from him, but he showed no intention of leaving.

Amelia didn't know why he was there, however she didn't say anything else, nor did she ask if he had eaten, she just smiled politely before leaving.  Dorian didn't say anything else, he didn't follow her, but he didn't leave either.  Amelia could see his car still parked in the same place from the reflection of the glass of a store, she frowned in confusion and entered the supermarket on the corner.  The bathroom light was out and she had gone to buy a light bulb to replace it.  When she left the supermarket with the new light bulb, she realized that Dorian was still there.  Inevitably, the two met again.

Amelia and Dorian had not separated because they became enemies, she could not pretend not to see it, but since they already treated each other as strangers even within the marriage, she could not greet him affectionately, so when their eyes met again, she tugged lightly at her lips, like a greeting.

Dorian didn't show any expression, just stared at her, calm but with an oppressive feeling, making even Amelia's breathing become cautious. When she passed Dorian's car, he opened the door and got out, following her.  But Dorian didn't speak, he just followed behind her in silence, they went up the building together.  When they reached the door of her apartment, she finally couldn't help it, she turned around doubtfully and looked at him, “Do you need anything?”  Dorian replied, “No.”  Amelia didn't say anything.  Dorian continued, “Is there any food left at home?”  Amelia couldn't help but remind him, “Hey, we're already divorced.”  He reproached her, “Can't an old classmate come to eat something?”

She was speechless and hesitantly opened the door for him.  Dorian noticed the light bulb in his hand and frowned slightly, “Did the light burn out?” Amelia nodded, “Yes, the bathroom lamp burned out.”  Dorian extended his hand to her, 'Give it to me.'  “No need, I can do it.”  Amelia didn't finish rejecting the offer when Dorian had already taken the spotlight from her hands. He looked up at the bathroom light, grabbed a chair from the hallway, placed it underneath and climbed into it. Since he was tall, all she had to do was stand up. foot on the stool to reach the light with your hand.

Amelia feared a short circuit and said, “I'm going to turn off the electricity first.” She turned down the main switch and the room fell into darkness.  Amelia turned on the inside of her cell phone and illuminated it. “Can you see well?”  “Yes.” The calm and deep voice came from above while Dorian was already skillfully removing the focus.  Amelia had never seen him change a light bulb, but she supposed that smart people had a natural gift for doing things right, and Dorian's movements were deft and purposeful, with a kind of efficient elegance. Her gaze shifted from his hands to her face and from below, Dorian's clear profile stood out against the shadow of the light, deep and serious.  So she was a little stunned looking at him.

Dorian quickly changed the focus and when he got out of the chair, Amelia was still staring at him. Her eyes collided without time to avoid each other and she, uncomfortable, smiled awkwardly and took a step back, putting distance between them.  Dorian's gaze moved slowly from her retreating legs to her face, settling on her eyes, but he said nothing.  His silence made her feel more uncomfortable.  “Well, I'm going to see if the light works now.”   Just as she turned to leave, he grabbed her wrist, the cell phone fell to the ground and the light exploded, filling the space.

While Amelia felt a shock in her heart, Dorian had already pulled her towards him. She looked up in alarm and his palm slid from her wrist to her back, hugging her tightly around the waist, while his other hand fell behind her head, lifting her face to his, his breath cool and close. Dorian kissed her. Amelia instinctively tried to push him away.  The hands around her waist and behind her head suddenly tightened and he deepened the kiss with a force that brooked no rejection.  And she didn't want to reject him.  Heavy gasps began to sound in the confined space.  Dorian pressed her against the wall and kissed her with some ferocity.

Amelia had rarely seen that dominant and aggressive side, with an emotion that seemed urgent to be released. She was confused, but Dorian didn't give her a chance to think, the kiss became more and more intense, and just when it seemed like they were going to lose control, a cell phone rang and the shrill tone broke the intimacy of the moment.

Dorian stopped abruptly, not letting her see his face, he raised his hand to press his face against her collarbone.  Amelia could clearly feel her breathing becoming more stable.

Dorian let her go, turned around to pick up the cell phone that was ringing again, and handed it to her.  'Thank you,' Amelia thanked in a low voice, without looking at him, she simply took the cell phone, pressed the answer button and turned around with the phone in her hand, “Hello, who's speaking?”  Dorian took one look and headed for the switch on the door.

Amelia also glanced at his back and a female voice speaking English reached her ear, “Shall I speak to Miss Amelia?”  She paid attention again, “Yes, it's me, who is it?”

Congratulations, Miss Amelia, you have been admitted to the Department of Architecture of the Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich."  She was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered, joy spreading throughout her being.  "Oh really?"  The surprised tone made Dorian, who was outside, turn to look at her.   Amelia felt a little embarrassed, but she managed to thank him and contain her excitement before hanging up the phone and opening her email on her cell phone. Sure enough, there was her acceptance letter.

The emotion of surprise flowed through her body and Amelia wanted to release it, but when she looked up and saw Dorian watching her, she held back again, embarrassed.  “What happened?” he asked, while turning on the light with the switch.  She shook her head slightly, “Nothing, just work stuff.”  "Job?" Dorian frowned, he had never seen her so happy about something related to her work. "You're lying to me." Discovered, Amelia hesitated for a moment, “It's about studies, they accepted me at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich."  Dorian frowned even more, “Applying to university is not something that is done overnight, how long have you been preparing?”  Amelia pursed her lips. "Half a year."  Dorian’s face softened, “So, you were already thinking about divorce six months ago?”  Amelia remained silent.

Indeed, it was around this time that she began to consider the idea of getting divorced, but it was also then that, with a just-for-the-sake-of-it attitude, she applied to the architecture faculty at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, hoping to resume her life plans that were interrupted by her pregnancy and marriage. She had studied architectural design at university and had always had the idea of perfecting her studies in Switzerland, but her family did not have the resources and her parents could not support her with that, so from the first year of her studies she began to save money with secondary jobs.

During those years, she did quite well in her side businesses and had saved a decent amount of money. If it hadn't been for that night of meeting with former classmates, when she met Dorian again, she got carried away by passion and ended up pregnant. He would now be graduating successfully. But that night changed the course of her life, transforming her from an enthusiastic young professional passionate about life to a weak housewife, questioning her worth daily between domestic tasks and the contempt of her husband's family. She didn't want to continue like this.  His silence was a confirmation.  Dorian turned his face coldly.  "I see," he said. "Wish you all the best."  With that, he opened the door to leave.  “Dorian,” Amelia called out to him instinctively.  He stopped, but didn't turn around.  “That day at your house, I heard the fight you had with your father in the studio.” Amelia spoke softly.  After that day, I decided to get divorced.”  Dorian turned sharply to look at her.